Onvo L90: Nio’s Bold Entry into the Full-Size Electric SUV Market

Onvo, Nio’s new brand, has unleashed its full-size SUV, the L90, onto the electric vehicle landscape, kicking things off with an aggressive starting price of 179,800 yuan (about 25,000 USD) when paired with its innovative Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) plan. This isn’t just another pretty face in the crowded EV market, it’s a serious contender designed to shake things up, built on a cutting-edge 900V high-voltage architecture and packing the same robust motor found in Nio’s luxury ET9 model. With a CLTC range reaching up to 605 kilometers, the L90 is ready to take on the daily commute and weekend adventures alike.

Pricing and Versatility: Your L90, Your Way

Onvo understands that one size rarely fits all, so the L90 arrives with a versatile lineup of six-seater and seven-seater configurations across its Pro, Max, and Ultra versions. This flexibility means families of all sizes can find an L90 that fits their needs perfectly. For instance, the six-seater Pro model starts at 265,800 yuan (37,200 USD), but with the BaaS option, that drops significantly to 179,800 yuan (25,000 USD). Even the fully loaded seven-seater Ultra, at 299,800 yuan (41,700 USD), becomes a more accessible 213,800 yuan (29,700 USD) with BaaS.

Metric Value Unit Notes
0–100 km/h (RWD) 5.9 s
0–100 km/h (AWD) 4.7 s
Battery Capacity 85 kWh Standard pack
DC Fast Charge (10-80%) 25 min
CLTC Range (RWD) 605 km
CLTC Range (AWD) 570 km
Length 5145 mm
Width 1998 mm
Height 1786 mm
Wheelbase 3110 mm
Drag Coefficient 0.25 Cd
Front Trunk Volume 240 L
Rear Trunk Volume 430 L Includes 106L hidden storage
Starting Price (BaaS) ¥179,800 CNY Equivalent to 25,000 USD

Exterior: Designed for Presence and Practicality

The L90 immediately commands attention with its distinctive family design language, highlighted by those unmistakable split headlights. It’s a design that’s both modern and functional. What truly sets the L90 apart is its sheer size, measuring in at 5145mm long, 1998mm wide, and 1786mm tall, all riding on a substantial 3110mm wheelbase. Plus, with a drag coefficient of just 0.25, it slips through the air with surprising efficiency for an SUV of its stature.

But the real party trick for families might just be the massive 240-liter front trunk, or “frunk.” Onvo’s marketing proudly showcases its ability to swallow two 20-inch suitcases, kids’ luggage, and a backpack, or even a single 30-inch check-in bag. They say it can hold a week’s worth of family groceries, and looking at the space, we believe it. Add to that a 430-liter rear trunk, which includes a clever 106 liters of hidden storage, and you’ve got an SUV ready for any family adventure.

Interior: First-Class Comfort for the Whole Crew

Step inside the L90, and you’re greeted with an interior that redefines comfort for a family SUV. The front seats spoil occupants with 12-way power adjustment, while the second-row passengers aren’t forgotten, enjoying 4-way power adjustment with luxurious zero-gravity seats offering 10-way power adjustment. These second-row seats boast generous 535mm seatbacks and 520mm seat cushions, plus aviation-style headrests that give a substantial 15% increase in contact area. Even the third row isn’t an afterthought, providing a comfortable 962mm vertical seating height, a 330mm seat height, and wide 532mm cushions with backrests that recline up to 38 degrees. It’s clear Onvo wants everyone to ride in supreme comfort.

Long journeys are made easy with an 8.86-liter onboard refrigerator, capable of chilling twelve 330ml soda cans or keeping snacks at various temperatures between 0-50°C. And here’s a neat trick: it only sips 2 kWh of power per week and stays active even when the car’s locked up. Entertainment is also a big win, with a massive 17.3-inch 3K high-definition ceiling screen for rear passengers and an 8-inch screen for those in the back, offering dual desktop options. To top it all off, the L90 comes standard with an Onvo Sound Premium system featuring 23 speakers and a thumping 2048W max output, all certified with 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos for an immersive audio experience.

Technology and Powertrain: Performance Meets Innovation

Underpinning all this comfort and tech is an impressive electrical and mechanical package. The L90 comes standard with an 85 kWh battery pack, ready to take you from 10% to 80% charge in a mere 25 minutes. That’s quick! As we mentioned, range stands at a strong 605 km for the RWD version and 570 km for the AWD variant.

The L90 embraces a sophisticated 900V high-voltage architecture, a system usually reserved for more exotic performance EVs. This isn’t just about fast charging; it optimizes everything from the heat pump air conditioning to the onboard charger and DC voltage converter. It also ensures stellar performance. The cabin is a tech haven, featuring a 35-inch AR-HUD and a brilliant 17.2-inch 3K central control screen. All this is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P cockpit chip, delivering a hefty 60 TOPS of AI computing power, complemented by a standard 24GB of automotive-grade DDR4 RAM and 256GB of storage, all running the smooth Coconut 2.0.0 system.

Performance enthusiasts will appreciate that the L90 shares its 925V high-performance silicon carbide permanent magnet synchronous motor with the premium Nio ET9. This compact powerhouse weighs just 79 kg and takes up a mere 37 liters of space. The rear motor alone churns out a peak power of 340 kW (456 hp) with a blistering 20,000rpm maximum rotation speed, allowing the RWD version to rocket from 0-100 km/h in a swift 5.9 seconds. Opt for the all-wheel drive, and you get an additional 900V asynchronous induction front motor delivering 100 kW (134 hp) peak power, slashing the 0-100 km/h acceleration to a sports-car-like 4.7 seconds. Talk about quick!

The Battle for the Family SUV Segment

The arrival of the Onvo L90 certainly intensifies competition in the full-size electric SUV market, particularly against rivals like Li Auto’s i8. The i8, which debuted recently, saw a significant dip in its stock price, suggesting some market hesitation about its initial price point of 321,800 yuan (44,830 USD). With its sharp aggressive pricing, especially with the BaaS option, the Onvo L90 seems to have a distinct competitive edge right out of the gate. Even its most expensive seven-seater Ultra version, with BaaS, comes in more affordably than the i8’s starting price. This aggressive strategy from Onvo and Nio could certainly make waves and attract a lot of attention in the dynamic Chinese EV market. It will be interesting to see how this new challenger impacts Nio’s stock performance in the coming months. If you want more information regarding Nio, you can also check out this article on Nio’s sales struggles as well as this article on the Nio Firefly’s launch and Onvo L60’s Black Knight Edition.